Signal apparatus.



E. MAYER & W. 'M. CORRELL.

SIGNAL APPARATUS. APPLICATION mm FEB. 21. 1915.

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SIGNAL APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 2|. I916- Patented Sept. 11, 1917.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

E. MAYER & W. M. CORRELL.

SIGNAL APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 21, I916- Patented Sept. 11, 1917.

3 S HEETS nurru;

EDWARD-MAYER AND WILLIAM. M. coRaELnor ASHLAND,.1\TEBRASKA.

SIGNAL APPARATUS.

Specification of IiettersPatent.

Patented Sept. 11, 1911 7.

Application filed February 21, 1916s. Serial N o.:79,726:

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that WQ,*.EDWARD MAYER and Winnie-M M. GonRnLL, citizensof' the United States, residing at Ashland, in the county of Saunders and State of Nebraska, .have invented new and useful Improvementsin Signal Apparatus, .ofwvhich the following is a specification.

The PTBSGHtYiIlVGHtlOD relates to improve ments i113 signal apparatus, and more especially to-the class adapted to:be used in announcing time, givingra fire-alarm, ore for similar purposes. The primary object of the invention is to provide relatively. simple and inexpensive apparatus ofthisclass whichis capable of being controlled from adistant point, such, for example, as artel'ephone exchange, fire. alarm station, or thelike,.to

give, at the will of the operator, either a single or uniform sustained 1 signal ora succession of signals of a varying" character suitableto attract attention asa fire alarm, it being preferable to employ a whistle which will give either: a single-or; uniform sustained blastor a succession of 'blasts, each blast varying in pitch;. The present invention enables either of: these results to be accomplishedat-thewill of the operator, it being necessary for the operatoin merely to press the-appropriate button orto actuate an equivalent control device, whereupon the apparatus will operate automatically topro duce the desired signal, as the circumstances may require.

To these and other ends, the invention consists in certain improvements, and come binations and arrangei'nents of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed .Ollt particularly in. the claims at the end of the specification.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1. is a top planzview ofacsignal apparatus constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the. circuit connections being shown diagrammatically in connection therewitlu Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus as shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic View showing the mechanism for. controlling the sounding of: the whistle and. for varying the pitch thereof.

Fig-.4 represents a transverse section on theuline-4i:of Fig.

Similar parts are. designatedby the same reference: characters in the several views.

One embodiment Of the invention is shown in the. accompanying-drawings and will. be hereinafter described in detail, this embodiment: of the invention having been found suitable fOl'VUSG as a time announcer and as a fire alarm. It will-be understood that the inventioiris-not restricted to the particular construction: and arrangement shown, as equivalent constructions within the scope of the annexed claims are contemplated as within the scope of the invention.

In the present instance, the apparatus is mountedona suitable base 1, the base serving; to support the different mechanisms comprisingthe apparatus. A pair of bearings 2 and 3 are fixed to the base and supportia rotatable shafteia Suitable means is provided for. rotating the shaft lcontinuously when the apparatus is set into operation under-the control of the operator. Preferably, the shaftA: isdriven by a motor, an electric motor 5 being shown in the present instance, the shaft 6 of which is connected by a coupling'lto a worm shaft 8, the latter beingsupported by a bearing9 on the base 1, and a worm 10 is fixed to the shaftS. The worm 10 cooperates with ia worm wheel 11 fixed on the shaft 4. By this arrangement, the shaft 1} will revolve during the running of the motor in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figs. 1 and 2. A wheel or disk 12 is fixed to the opposite end of the shaft 4, a pin orprojection 13 extending a suitable distancebeyond the face of this disk. A lever 1& is pivoted at 15 to a bracket or sup port 16 mounted 011 the base whereby the lever may rock about this pivot in a vertical plane. The lever 14 toward its free end lies opposite to the face of the disk 12 and it carries an electro-magnet 17, the magnet being bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the lever so as to -move vertically as it rocks about'itspivot 15. An armature 18 is providedfor the magnet 17, the armature being located in cooperativerelation with the pole pieces of the magnet, and screws or pins 19 are provided to gulde the armature 1n 1ts movements toward and from the pole pieces move it away from the pole pieces and against the heads of the screws 19. A bar 21 is attached to the armature 18, it resting in a recess 22 formed on the top of the lever 14 and being slidable in such recess or across the top of the lever 14 so as toposition it in the path of the pin or projection 13 on the disk 12 or to retract it from the path of such pin or projection, according to whether the magnet 17 is energized or deenergized. A block or track 23 is attached to that side of the lever 14 which faces the disk 12, the upper edge of this track being parallel with the top ofthe lever 14,- or substantially so, whilethe lower edge 24 of this track is curved to clear the path of the pin or projection 13 when the lever 14 is in elevated position. The end of the lever 14 carrying the magnet 17 and the track 23 is normally supported in elevated position by a counterweight 25 which, as shown, is mounted on the lever 14 at the opposite side of its pivot 15. The lever 14 also carries a contact 26, that shown being secured to the lever 14 by an insulating block 27 attached to one side of the lever, and a post 28 is fixed to the base and is provided with a pair of contacts 29 and 30 to cooperate with the contact 26 when the lever 14 is elevated and lowered, respectively. A contact 31 is also carried by the lever 14, and this contact is arranged to engage a contact 32 on the post 28 when the lever 14 is lowered.

Means is provided for automatically holding the lever 14 in its lowered or actuated position. As shown, the free end of the lever 14 is guided by a pair of uprights 33 which are fixed to the base and provide a space between them in which the free end of the lever 14 operates vertically as a guide. A gravity latch 34 is shown in the present instance for retaining the lever 14 in its lowered or actuated position, it having an offset portion 35 which is pivoted at 36 to the uprights 33 while its lower end 37 is arranged to swing over the upper edge of the lever 14 when the latter has been depressed, the latch operating by gravity to hold the lever 14 in depressed position. Means is also provided for retracting the latch to thereby release the lever 14 and thus permit it to be restored to its'normal raised position. As shown, the latch 34 carries an armature 38 arranged opposite to an electro-magnet 39, the latter being mounted in fixed position by a bracket or support 40 mounted on the base of the apparatus, energizing of the magnet 39 serving to retract the latch and thereby permit rising of the lever 14.

Apparatus embodying the present invention is capable of operating signals of different kinds. In the present instance, a whistle is employed as a signal, the whistle being preferably of a type which is capable either of producing a sustained blast of uniform pitch or blasts of varying pitch. As shown, the Whistle comprises a body 41 which is connected by the pipe 42 to a suitable source of fluidpressure supply, such, for example, as compressed air or steam, and is provided with a' valve 43 for controlling the admission of fluid pressure to the whistle to sound it, the valve 43 being opened by a lever 44 which acts on the valve 43 in a common and well known way. The bell 45 of the whistle contains a piston or diaphragm 46 which is movable longitudinally therein to vary the pitch of the sound produced by the whistle. As shown, a rod or stem 47 is connected to the piston or diaphragm 46 and constitutes means for reciprocating the piston or diaphragm within the bell of the whistle. The lever 44 which controls the admissionof fluid pressure to the whistle to sound it is actuated in the present instance by depression of the lever 14, it being operatively connected thereto in the present instance by a cable 48 passing over a pulley 49 and operating upon a bell-crank lever 50, which latter engages the valve operating lever 44. Means is provided for reciprocating the piston or diaphragm 46 to vary the pitch of the sound produced by the whistle. the shaft/4, and a gear 52 (which is a duplicate of the gear 51) is mounted loosely onthe shaft 4 immediately beside the gear 51. A pinion 53 is provided which is of a width sufiicient to simultaneously mesh with both of the gears 51 and 52 and to thereby transmit motion from the gear 51 to the gear 52. The loosely mounted gear 52 is con nected to the piston or diaphragm 46 by a crank pin 54 on the gear 52, a pitman 55, and a bell-crank lever 56. The meshing of the pinion 53 with the gears 51 and 52 is controlled electro-magnetically, it being mounted in the presentinstance on one end of a lever 57, the latter being pivoted at 58 upon a support 59 fixed to the base 1, and a rest 60 serves to support the pinion when the latter is in disengaged relation to the gears 51 and 52. The lever 57 carries an armature 61 arranged to coiiperate with an electro-magnet 62,-energizing of this magnet As shown, a gear 51 is fixed to i rocking the lever 57 in a direction to mesh tions may be used in order that the apparatus may be controlled from any desired point. In the instance shown as an exampleyGS and 64 represent the line wires of an electric current supply which may be either alternating or direct current, a main switch 65 beingprovided, if desired, to cut off the apparatus from the line circuit when desired. However when the apparatus is in use, the switch 65 will always be closed and the supply of this line current to the electric motor will-be whollyunder the control of the operator who may be at a distant point. The line wires 66 and 67 lead from the switch 65 to the terminals 68 and 69 of the electric motor 5, the contacts 7 3 and 7d of a controlling relay 70 being connected in circuit with the wire 66. A set of three relays 7 O, 71 and 72 is provided, the'relay 7O embody- .ing circuit closing contacts 73 and 7+1 for the wire 66, which contacts are closed when this relay is energized, the relay 71 comprising a middle contact 75 and a pair of contacts 76 and 77 of which the contact 7 6 is engagedby the contact 75 when the relay is energized and the contact 77 engaged with the contact 75 when this relay is deenerggized, and the relay 72 embodying a pair of contacts 78 and 79 which are caused to engage when this relay is energized. 80 repfor the purpose, and these control devices are lo 'ated at a distant point. The control device 83 is connected by the wire 84 to one side of the battery 81, while the opposite side of said battery is connected by the wire 85 to one terminal of the relay 7 O. The other terminal 01 the relay 7 O is connected by the wire 86 to a terminal of the relay 71, and the opposite terminal of this relay is connected by the wire 87 to the control device One contact ot' the control device 82 is connected to the wire 84-, and the other contact of this control device is connect ed by the wire 88 to a ground connection G. A wire 89 connects the wire 87 to one terminal of the relay 72, while the other terminal of this relay is connected by the wire 90 to the ground connection G. The contact 76 of the relay 71 is connected by a wire 91 to the electro-magnet 1.7 a wire 92 leading from the electro-magnet 17 to the upper contact 29. A wire 93 leads from the spring contact 26 to one side of the battery 80, while the wire 9-1 and the branch wire 95 connect the opposite side of the battery 80 with the middle contact 75 01" the relay 71,

The contact 73 of the relay 70 is connected by a wire 96' to the contact 31, and a wire 97 leads from the contact 32 to the contact 7 1 of the relay 70. The wires 66 and 67 which lead to the motor are joined to the wires 96 and 97 whereby the motor circuit will be closed initially when the contacts 7 3 and 74E of the relay 7 O are engaged, and the motor circuit will be subsequently maintained by the engagement of the contacts 31 and 32 which are in shunt with the contacts 73 and 74 ot the relay 70. The contact 77 of the relay 71 is connected by a wi re 98 to the electro-magnet 39, and a wire 99 leads from this electro-i'nagnet to the lower contact 30, the circuit for the magnet 39 being completed by way of the wire 93, battery 80, wires 91 and 95, and the middle contact 75 of the relay 71.

The contact 78 of the relay 72 is connected to one side of the battery 80 by the wires 9% and 100, and the contact 79 of this relay is connected by the wire 101 to the electromagnet 62, a wire 102 leading from this electro-magnet to the lower contact 30, and the circuit for the electro-magnet is com pleted by way of the contact 26 and wire 93 to the battery 80.

The ope 'ation of the apparatus as shown may be briefly described as follows:

hen it is desired to produce a single uniform sustained blast or signal, such as is suitable for time announcements, the push button or control device 83 is pressed or actuated. This causes current from the battery 81 to energize the two relays 70 and 71, producing engagement of the contacts 73 and 74 of the relay 70 and engagement of the contacts 75 and 76 of the relay 71. Engagement of the contacts 73 and 7 1 ot the relay 70 completes the line circuit for the electric motor 5, whereupon the latter revolves, setting the shaft 4: into operation. The simultaneous engagement of the contacts 75 and 76 of the relay 71 causes current from the battery 80 to energize the electro-magnet 17. Energizing of this magnet causes its armature to shift the bar 21 into the path of the pin or projection 13 on the disk 12, the latter now revolving in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figs. 1 and 2. The pin or projection 13 as it descends encounters the bar 21, bearing downwardly thereon, and by reason of the fact that this bar 21 bears on or is connected to the lever 14, the latter in consequence is depressed first by the engagement of the pin or projection 13 with the bar 21, and by the continued rotation of the disk 12 by engagement of this pin or projection upon the upper side of the track 23. As the lever 14 begins to descend, it carries the contact 26 out of engagement with the contact 29, thereby interrupting the circuit of the magnet 17 and permitting the bar 21 to resume its normal position out of the path of the pin or projection 13. Descent of the lever 14: also opens the valve 43 and admits fluid pressure which sounds the whistle by reason of the connection between the whistle-controlling valve and the lever.,

Just before the lever 14: reaches the lower limit of its downward movement, the contact 26 engages the contact 30, and the gravity latch 34 moves into a position above the lever 14 to retain the latter in depressed position. At this time the contact 31 is also brought into engagement with the contact 32. The engagement of these latter contacts shunts the contacts 73 and 74 of the relay 70, enabling the line circuit for the electric motor to be maintained through these contacts 31 and 32 without depending on the relay contacts 73 and 7 4. The whistle or signal will continue to sound so long as the lever 1-1 remains in its lowered or actuated position which, in turn, is determined by the period during which the push button or control device 83 is held depressed or in actuated position by the operator. WVhen the push button or control device 83 is permitted to resume its normal or nonactuated position, the relays and 71 are deenergized by reason of the interrupting of the circuit of the battery 81 by this control device 83, and the contact 7 5 of the relay 71 will disengage from the contact 76 and will engage the contact 77. The engagement of these contacts of the relay 71 causes current from the battery 80, through the connections previously de scribed to energize the latch releasing magnet 39, the circuit of this releasing magnet being completed by the contacts 26 and 30 while the lever 141 is depressed. The latch 341 is thereby retracted, permitting the lever 14: to rise, closing the valve which admits fluid pressure to the whistle, and disengaging the contact 26 from the contact 30 and the contact 31 from the contact 32, the rising of the lever 14 being gradual, however, as it follows the upward movement of the pin or projection 13 as the latter rides on the track 23. To insure releasing of the latch 34, the parts are preferably so designed and proportioned that the pin or projection 13 will engage the track 23 and thereby depress the lever 14: slightly at each revolution of the shaft 4:, thus relieving the upward pressure of the lever 14 upon the latch and enabling the electro-magnet 39 to easily retract the latch. When the lever 1 1 is restored to its normal raised position, the line circuit for the motor isinterrupted by disengagement of the contacts 31 and 32 as well as the contacts 73 and 74 of the relay 70 which at that time is deenergized, the circuit of the releasing magnet 39 is interrupted by disengagement of the contact 26 from the contact 30, and the circuit for the magnet 17 is closed by the engagement of the contacts 26 and 29 and is in readiness to be completed by the next operation of the control button or device 82 or 83.

When the apparatus is used as a fire alarm, or in other instances, where it is desirable to produce a sound or blast of a varying pitch, the button or control device 82 is actuated, all three relays 70, 71 and 7 2 being then energized; The action in this instance is the same as that previously described where the button or control device 83 was actuated, resulting in starting of the electric motor and movement of the lever 14 into a position to admit fluid pressure to the whistle to sound the same, but, in addition thereto, the piston or diaphragm 4:6 is reciprocated to .produce a sound of variable pitch at intervals. This results by reason of the engagement of the contacts 78 and 79 of the relay 72 whereby the circuit from the battery 80 is completed through the electro-magnet 62, causing the pinion 53 to mesh with the gears 51 and 52, rotation of the gear 52 reciprocating the piston or diaphragm 46 which produces the variable pitch of the whistle. By permitting the push button or control device 82 to resumeits normal or inoperative position, the relays 71 and 72 are deenergized and the operation of the device is interrupted as before.

Signal apparatus embodying the present invention is particularly advantageous for use in small towns or communities having a volunteer fire department, in that it enables a signal of one character to be produced for announcing the time of the day or for other purposes, and a different or distinctive signal to be produced which will be readily recognized as a fire or other alarm, there being no opportunity of confusion between the signals or the meanings thereof, and as the apparatus automatically adjusts itself to produce a signal of the desired character, requiring only the pressing of an appropriate button or actuation of a control device, the operation of the apparatus does not require the services of a special attendant but may be safely left to a person in a telephone exchange or in any other station or place located at any reasonable distance from the apparatus, two wires being neeessaryrto connect the apparatus te its i distant control devices Moreover, as. the power necessary to operate-the signal is. supplied bythe motor; and the'electrosmagnetici devices. serve to, control the, apparatus certainty in OPBlYLl lQ lr WhlGlI is essential to such apparatus, is insured. U

We claim our invention 1. Signal apparatus comprisi-nga signal device,mechanical means for causi-ngioperation thereof, and :elefctro-magnetically controlled devices cooperative With said mechanicalgmeans ,to produce a signal of uni form pitch or aisignal of varying pitch, at will. i

2. Signal apparatus. comprisinga, signal device, mechanicahmeans for operating the same to produce, asignal of onepitch, electromagnetic meanscooperativewith said mechanical means .to produce a signal ofia-dif ferent pitch, and electrical control; means cooperative witlt said mechanical means to cause the latter to produce a signallofeither pitch, atWill;

3; Signal apparatus comprising a signal device, means for operating the same to produce a signal of onencharacter, electro-magnetic means for varying-the character of the signal While the same is being produced by the means first mentioned, and electrical means for controlling the signal device to produce a signal of the desired character.

4. Signal apparatus comprising mechanically-operated means for producing signals of distinctive pitches, and electromagnetic means operative at will to control said mechanically-operated means and to cause the latter to selectively produce signals of the desired pitches.

5. Signallapparatus comprising a signal device, signal operating means for mechanically initiating and terminating the operation of the signal, electro-magnetic means for controlling the actuation of said means, means for retaining the signal operating means in actuated condition, and electromagnetic means for releasing said retainin means.

6. Signal apparatus comprising a signal device, a mechanically-actuated member for initiating and terminating the operation thereof, electro-magnetic means for modifying the pitch of the signal produced by the signal device, and electrical control means cooperative With said member to cause operation of the signal device to produce signals of different pitches at the will of the operator.

7. Signal apparatus comprising a signal device, a member for initiating and terminating the operation thereof, electro-magnetic means controlling the operation of said member, means for varying the character of th signa produc d by said S gnal de i e,

and electro-magnetic means controlling .the operation of said latter means.

8; Signal apparatus comprising a signal device, a member for, initiating andtermin-ating the operation, thereof, electro-mag; neticallyl controlled means for actuating said member, and electromagneticallv controlled means actuated by. saidmember andoperative on ,the signal device; to .vary the characteriof the signal produced thereby.

9. Signalapparatus comprising a signal device, a member for initiating and terminating the operation thereof, means, includ: ing an electric motor, for mechanically actuating said member, means for varying the character of the signal produced by. said signal device, and control devices either of Which is operative at the will of the opera: tor, one ofthe control:devicesgoverning the operation of said ,memben and its actuating means,1and the other control device governingthe-operation of;said member,- its actuating means, and also the means Which variesthecharacter of the signal.

10.- Signal apparatus comprising a signal device, a member for initiating and terminating. the operation thereof, means. for actuating said member, includinga motor, and electro-magnetically controlled means for connecting-said motor andtsaid member, and means controlling the motor and said connecting means.

11. Signal apparatus comprising a signal device, a member for initiating and terminating the operation thereof, means for actuating said member, including a motor, and electro-magnetically controlled means for connecting said motor and said member, retaining means for holding said member in actuated position to sustain the signal, and an electric control common to said motor, said member, the connecting means between the motor and said member, and said retaining means.

12. Signal apparatus comprising a signal device, a member for initiating and terminating the operation thereof, means for actuating said member, including a motor, and electro-magnetically controlled means for connecting said motor and said member, retaining means for holding said member in actuated position to sustain the signal, and an electric control operative when in one condition to start and continue the running of the motor and to actuate the connecting means between the motor and said member, and operative When in another condition to interrupt the running of the motor and to release said retaining means.

13. Signal apparatus comprising a signal device, an actuating member therefor having a mechanical connection therewith, means, including a motor and an electromagnetically controlled connecting device between the motor and said member, for

actuating said member to operate said device to produce a signal, means independent of said member and operative on said device to produce a variable signal, and control means adapted to belocated at a distant point, one control means governing operation of said motor and the connecting device, and the other control means governing operation of said motor, the connecting device, and the means for producing the variable signal.

14. Signal apparatus comprising a whistle, a member for mechanically operating it, means, including an electrically controlled motor, for actuating said member, and electro-magnetically controlled means for mechanically connecting said motor and said member.

15. Signal apparatus comprising a whistle, a member for mechanically operating it, means, including a motor, for actuating said member, electro-magnetically controlled means for mechanically connecting said motor and said member, and electro-magnetically controlled means for varying the character of sound produced by the whistle.

16. Signal apparatus comprising a whistle, a member for mechanically operating netically controlled means operative by said motor for varying the character of the sound produced by the whistle.

17. Signal apparatus comprising a signal device, electrically controlled means for operating said-device to produce a uniform sustained signal, and electro-magnetically controlled means operative automatically to periodically vary the pitch of said signal.

18. Signal apparatus comprising a whistle, means for sounding the same, and means operative automatically and controlled electro-magnetically to periodically vary the pitch of the sound produced by the whistle and also capable of sounding the whistle with a uniformly sustained pitch. o

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands in presence of two subscribing witnesses. Y

EDWARD MAYER, WILLIAM M. CORRELL. Witnesses: E. G. EI-IRENHARD,

ROY E. -MAYFIELD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). G. l 

